Davis Human Relations Commission to Host Forum After Survey Finds Urgent Needs Among Immigrant-Serving Groups

The Davis Human Relations Commission voted unanimously to invite organizations that responded to a sanctuary-city subcommittee survey to present at a structured forum at the commission’s next meeting.

The subcommittee said 17 organizations responded to its outreach and identified legal services, housing, food and health care among the most pressing needs for immigrants in Davis and Yolo County. "There was a feeling that this city could become a convener or an amplifier that could help this full effort across these various organizations," Felix, a member of the sanctuary-city subcommittee, said during the presentation.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the survey responses produced specific policy and service suggestions — including expanded language access, clear campus protocols for immigration-enforcement activity, publicly available data on police stops, trauma-informed training for police, and establishment of an immigrant and refugee advisory council — that could inform a formal recommendation to the City Council.

What the commission decided: After discussion about format and time limits, a motion to invite the survey respondents to present a focused set of recommendations and proposals was made and carried unanimously. The commission asked the subcommittee to coordinate presentation logistics and to propose time limits so multiple organizations can present without turning the session into an open mic.

Ordinance work and legal context: Commissioners said they plan to draft a proposal for the commission’s consideration and identified San Mateo County ordinance 4875 as a model to study. The commission also reported meeting with Police Chief Henry, who told the commission the Davis Police Department’s privacy manual implements state law (SB54, the California Values Act) and that a bright line between local law enforcement and immigration enforcement is consistent with department policy. Commissioners said staff and the city attorney will likely need time to review any formal ordinance before the commission forwards it to the City Council.

Campus notification and coordination: Commissioners noted UC Davis and local school districts will implement SB98, the state law requiring notification of enforcement actions on campuses, and discussed whether notifications can be made close to the time of action. A subcommittee member who spoke with the UC Davis Undocumented Student Resource Center said the center works with about 400 students and urged the commission to collect practical information on housing practices, such as which landlords accept ITINs.

Next steps: The subcommittee will draft a report of survey findings and a proposal, coordinate invitations to the 17 respondent organizations, and return with a formal draft for commission review (the commission discussed aiming for a January meeting). The commission asked staff to coordinate with invited presenters on time allotments and expectations so the forum remains focused on policy recommendations and services.

Note on public input: The forum will be a distinct, invited presentation process; public comment rules remain in place and attendees can still provide public comment during the agenda’s public-comment period.